You can hear the woods rumble in your ears with Soho Sessions, the latest release by ALIA. They place you right in the heart of the woodlands with this album. With a plethora of sounds from all across the world. They have showcased not only their talent but their ability to explore. This is their first ever release on Spotify and what a way to make an entrance. Every beat is tucked into each soundtrack. All this while making its presence known while also making space for every other element of the songs.
Each song has its meticulous detail that pops up with every listen. The music ebbs and flows as though they were water nymphs who were gracefully playing in the sun. Some instruments sound fresh to the ear. ALIA is truly leaving their mark out in the music industry.
Congratulation on your first-ever album release on Spotify. What is it like to finally have your labor of love finally out in the world? How long did it take to complete the EP?
Thank you, I mean it’s very surreal… not much has truthfully sunk in, as of yet. Only that I am very grateful for this adventure that I am on. I mean there wasn’t really a time on this, I wrote the first track and the idea of it, along with many, many others a year ago. Then tracks two and three I wrote recently, and with the advice of my soul brother Steven Young, a.k.a Mr.Nobody, mentioned those three speak together in a journey of my thoughts and feelings in my music storytelling.
The Time of The Firsts for ALIA
I Loved the soundscape of the EP, it sounds minimal and significant (Instrumental wise). What is your writing process? Do you write with an instrument?
That is very warming to hear, that again was advice and lessons from Steven, he mentioned being strong to stand on its own – the beauty in not overdoing but forming and creating a stage for my voice to stand more so than instruments. My writing process is very artistic you could say aha… there isn’t a process, when I feel or need to say something to myself or another or whichever, the words just come naturally to me and I can’t do much else but finish it straight away in the moment when it is raw. I only know the guitar for now, I am trying to learn the piano but I have always written from a young age and silently sung, melodies and words come naturally to my brain. I think sometimes words need the voice and sound within them to hit an emotion, then I add music to it.
What inspired the EP and when did you start writing it?
I don’t like to give too many stories away, people always come back to me listening to these songs connecting to something that is personal for them. But I can say feelings inspired this EP, deep emotions within the meaningful. Along with 20 other tracks around a year ago, as mentioned tracks two and three were most recent at the beginning of this year.
The Body of Music
The writing is raw and real, every ounce of the track is dipped in music that rose from a moment. ALIA seems guides this ship from the start onto a journey that is filled with imagery. They create a thread of a story that is hard to put into words but is felt in your body.
Each song is different and I could see that the folk soundscape brings the EP together thematically. What according to you brings the EP together?
That’s exactly what I was aiming for in that, the sound to connect with one another and a journey to come alight within the story of each song. Listening from beginning to start and feel a connection, and emotions flowing allowing the music to build and voice to carry.
The album and your work fall somewhere between soft rock and folk and not just one kind of folk. So where do you think your album falls genre-wise and how would you like to classify your style?
In all honestly, I rarely know really – I go by what people say to me after they hear my music or watch me live, and I nod and smile. I don’t like to place myself artistically inside a box, prevents art, the whole meaning of music is freedom, freedom to explore, experiment, and create. I am who I am, I am what I make, that is my style, that is my art.
A Peace of Music At a Time
The purpose of this track is to just be with the music and see where it takes you. ALIA sort creates a universe within each of the soundtracks. It is because of their voice but it is particularly because every element beads together to tell a story. What if there were parts that never made it to the final release?
I’m curious to know, are there pieces that you decided against releasing with this EP and why?
Oh definitely, many as mentioned, I have a whole body of work awaiting to be connected and released. Wasn’t as much as against, it was more about it being fluid and how the songs would speak to one another. I have a plan… in regards to those next steps for the awaiting songs, but they will indeed be out in the world soon enough in their own story.
Why the name Soho Sessions?
Very simple actually, even though I’ve lived in a few spots across London in terms of where I wrote and created let’s say. Soho is were they truly born and recorded/finished. The finale so to speak. Felt right to name it this, and it is Side A in the story.
The Faith In Music
Every piece of music out there has a purpose, either to inspire human beings and their life or to inspire new art. Heart of The Wolf is one such track that leaves its mark on you with the woody nature of the track. The folk element draws from different parts of the world and this music just surrounds you.
What was the process of discovery during the journey of Soho? Or did Soho Sessions inspire more work that we can look forward to in the future?
The discovery would have been what I am capable of, the belief in my art and what it can become. And yes, the EP definitely inspired me in that way, more work is definitely on route for listeners.
How has the listener’s reaction been so far? Has there been a response that has stayed with you?
It has been overwhelming, in a good and positive way, I don’t have a true audience yet but the reach that it’s going and the messages I receive online are a true blessing. The kindness, and the way people are able to connect to something so meaningful for me, and they find it meaningful for them… words can’t really describe that feeling. A response that most stayed with me, is a recent show I did at Piano Smithfield in London… the reaction the crowd had was breathtaking and emotional. Made a fight in me, stronger, to get my art out there for more to hear and see.
There is a quality to the track where you just plunge into the world of music and allow yourself to be surrounded by a gorgeous set of tunes. It also feels like a personal rendition by the bands and ALIA.
What Does The Future Hold for ALIA
How is it to perform this live?
Performing live, I still get very nervous, I’ve said to close friends before that it is like someone hearing the true you… it’s not like talking or expressing feelings in a normal way. It’s releasing something inside of you, every show is very different and hits very differently. Adrenaline kicks in every time and makes you want to do it over and over again, it’s a rush that one can’t put a finger on because it’s terrifyingly mesmerizing.
What’s the plan for the future? Are any performances or releases lined up?
In the future there are things on route, for me, I have a single of mine I am creating with a wonderful producer/artist Austel called “No Limited Edition”, and I have a cover of Steven’s song “I’m Getting Off” that registered with me I couldn’t not sing it – a very simple melodic soft rock vibes touch of Buckley inspo, there is a house track I laid some lyrics and vocals on with my close friends Jazzi Sirius, and Fox called “Kinda Mad” that will be released soon (no date yet), I am working on my next solo project the next chapter of Soho Sessions Side B. Possible videos to be made for Soho Sessions. Side A, including other tracks.
I have also been/having the pleasure of working on Steven’s adventure of Mr.Nobody, featuring on some of the tracks he will be releasing, stepping into the Modern Psychedelic Rock chapter. That I can not wait for the world to hear, and we have our release show for this coming September!
And To Tie It All Up
So I am very very excited, and still can not believe how amazing these past few months have been, and for the ones to come!
A film I believe does a lot for both artists and the world is Frances Ha. Not only does it have Greta Gerwig in it but it has you invested in the world created by Noah Baumbach. I believe every track on this album fits into Fraces Ha. ALIA truly does make you feel like a contemporary dancer with the way you feel the music in your body. I urge you to check out their music. They are here to leave a mark and I won’t be wrong to say that they have succeeded.